Second Twenty20 international, Emirates Old Trafford
India 190-7 (20 overs): Kishan 49 (40), Sharma 43 (24), Iyer 37 (22); Curran 3-33
England 191-6 (19 overs): Bethell 76* (46), Brook 39 (15), Banton 39 (32), Arshdeep 3-40
England won by four wickets, lead five-match series 1-0
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest man to play for India in England’s thrilling four-wicket win in the second T20 at Old Trafford.
At 15 years and 99 days old, the opener broke the record set by the great Sachin Tendulkar when he played a Test against Pakistan aged 16 years and 205 days in 1989.
Although Sooryavanshi sparkled for 14 off 10 balls in India’s 190-7, it was England’s own protege, Jacob Bethell, who led them to victory with an over to spare.
Bethell crunched a breathtaking unbeaten 76 from 46 balls to give the home side a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Sooryavanshi’s inclusion sent a frisson of excitement around Old Trafford, giving a boisterous and partisan crowd further reason to make noise.
And the left-hander gave a brief glimpse of the thrilling strokeplay that has enthralled the cricketing world.
From the fourth delivery he faced, and first from England fast bowler Jofra Archer, Sooryavanshi audaciously whipped over his shoulder for six. In the next over, Josh Tongue was larruped over cow corner for six.
In the fifth over, Sooryavanshi looked primed to attack the off-spin of Will Jacks, only to run past a flatter one and be stumped.
Ishan Kishan made 49, Abhishek Sharma 43 and Shreyas Iyer 37, but India were stifled by tight bowling from Jacks and Sam Curran, the latter claiming 3-33. The tourists took 23 off the last seven balls, yet their total felt no better than par.
From 1-2 after the first over, England were kickstarted by captain Harry Brook’s 39 from 15 balls, followed by a stand of 67 between Bethell and Tom Banton.
England needed 49 off the final four, when Bethell climbed into the leg-spin of Ravi Bishnoi, hammering three sixes for a total of 29 off the 17th over.
And Archer calmly clipped the winning runs from the final ball of the 19th over to put England ahead going into the third match of the series at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
Sooryavanshi makes his bow
Sooryavanshi was far from the star performer in this match, yet there was no doubt he was the main attraction. Given his age and talent, he is likely to be the centre of attention for many years to come.
The highest run-scorer in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has had to wait for his international chance, because the world champions are a hard team to break into. He sat out the two defeats in Ireland and abandoned opener to this series.
There was a clue to his inclusion when Sooryavanshi was shadow batting on the square in the hour before the game, and his debut was confirmed by a cap presentation before the toss. It further lifted an already boisterous atmosphere in Manchester.
And, on the ground where Tendulkar scored his maiden Test century as a 17-year-old, Sooryavanshi briefly hinted at a stunning debut performance.
Winding up at virtually every ball he faced, Sooryavanshi’s sweep for six off Rajasthan Royals team-mate Archer was typical of the shots that brought success in the IPL. When Tongue, also on T20 debut, bowled one into the slot, Sooryavanshi hit it miles.
It was a gamble for Brook to introduce Jacks, one that paid off. The stumping that led to Sooryavanshi lying on his back was an anti-climactic end to what could have been riotous entertainment.
England fielded well, and the work of Curran and Jacks between the 15th and 19th overs was vital.
Tilak Varma flogged Archer for two sixes and a four in the final over, but it was not enough.
Bethell wins battle of rising stars
The target looked well within England’s reach. They made 304 against South Africa on this ground last year and, on Saturday, were working with a strong wind blowing to a short boundary on one side.
And a week on from Ben Stokes’ international retirement and a Test series defeat by New Zealand, the home side got a much-needed win thanks to their own rising star in 22-year-old Bethell.
Phil Salt edged the first ball of the chase behind, then Jos Buttler clipped to mid-wicket, also for a duck, both off Arshdeep Singh.
Brook counter-attacked to thrilling effect. He hit three successive sixes off Arshdeep – a pull, a handsome on-drive and a whip that was almost caught at fine leg.
Brook was flying, so India turned so spin. Attempting to sweep Axar Patel, Brook gloved down the leg side and wicketkeeper Kishan took a superb catch, given on review.
England were three down inside five overs and 140 adrift of their target, but Bethell and Banton were not fazed by the task. They played the spinners well, keeping control of the required rate.
Banton nailed Arshdeep to point to depart for 39 and Jacks fell soon after, then Bethell hit the gas.
Bishnoi was heaved over cow corner, a free-hit was swatted over long-on to bring up a 39-ball half-century and another maximum was slotted over the leg-side fence. Bishnoi’s four overs cost 60 runs, including three no-balls.
Although Curran holed out, England needed only 12 off 14 balls when Archer joined Bethell. India did not have Jasprit Bumrah to pull them from the fire.
Bethell made a century in a losing cause in the T20 World Cup semi-final against India in March. This time, he would not be denied.
